Token movement game with rotating gameboard

ABSTRACT

A token game set that includes a game board with a stationary portion and a rotating portion. The stationary and rotating portions each having a plurality of token spaces. The game set also includes a plurality of tokens that are located on the token spaces. The game set can be played by initially placing a plurality of first tokens onto token spaces in a first area of the stationary portion, and a plurality of second tokens onto token spaces in a second area of the stationary portion. The first and second tokens may be moved into the rotating portion. The rotating portion is then rotated to move the positions of the first and second tokens. The game board can be arranged so that the tokens can be moved in accordance with the rules of “Chinese Checkers”.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Application No. 61/247,815, filed on Oct. 1, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a game with movable tokens and a movable gameboard element.

2. Prior Art

The art includes numerous games with movable tokens. For example, the game of “Chinese Checkers” includes moving tokens across a game board that has a plurality of holes. The game begins by placing tokens of like color into a triangular area of game board holes. Each player takes turns moving their tokens across the game board. A player can move a token to an adjacent hole, or “hop” over a token into an immediately adjacent hole. The goal of the game is for a player to move all of their tokens into an opposite end of the board. Conventional Chinese Checkers game boards are stationary. It would be desirable to increase the complexity of playing a token game like Chinese Checkers.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,804,418 and 5,732,947 disclose checker boards wherein the token spaces are located on movable strips. In these references all of the token spaces are movable. Although having moveable token spaces increases the complexity of game play it would be desirable to provide safe haven areas to alter game play strategy.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A token game set that includes a game board with a stationary portion and a rotating portion. The stationary and rotating portions each having a plurality of token spaces. The game set also includes a plurality of tokens that are located on the token spaces. The game set can be played by initially placing a plurality of first tokens onto token spaces in a first area of the stationary portion, and a plurality of second tokens onto token spaces in a second area of the stationary portion. The first and second tokens may be moved into the rotating portion. The rotating portion is then rotated to move the positions of the first and second tokens.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration showing a token game set that includes a game board, a plurality of tokens, and playing cards;

FIG. 2 is an illustration showing an underside of a rotating portion of the game board;

FIG. 3 is an illustration showing a plurality of position index elements inside the game board;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of the token game with a motorized game board; and,

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of the token game with a manually movable game board.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an instruction guide for playing the token game set.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed is a token game set that includes a game board with a stationary portion and a rotating portion. The stationary and rotating portions each having a plurality of token spaces. The game set also includes a plurality of tokens that are located on the token spaces. The game set can be played by initially placing a plurality of first tokens onto token spaces in a first area of the stationary portion, and a plurality of second tokens onto token spaces in a second area of the stationary portion. The first and second tokens may be moved into the rotating portion. The rotating portion is then rotated to move the positions of the first and second tokens. The game board can be arranged so that the tokens can be moved in accordance with the rules of “Chinese Checkers”. Moving the rotating portion changes the positions of the tokens that have already been positioned onto the rotating portion and adds to the complexity of the game. The rotating portion may be rotated when a player turns over a card that provides an instruction to rotate. Some cards will not provide an instruction to rotate. Rotating in response to the selection of a card further adds to the complexity and randomness of game play. Alternatively, a timer device could be provided that, when activated, designates that a player should rotate the rotating section. In a motorized game, the timer could be electronic and could automatically activate a motor to turn the rotating section.

Referring to the drawings by reference numbers, FIG. 1 shows a token game set 10. The game set 10 includes a game board 12 that has a plurality of token spaces 14. The token spaces 14 can be defined as holes in the game board 12. Although holes are shown and described, it is to be understood that the spaces may be defined without holes, such as by indicia on the board, or raised bosses onto which tokens fit. A plurality of tokens 16 are located on the token spaces 14. Each token 16 may have a top handle portion 18 that can be grasped by a player and a bottom peg portion 20 that can be inserted into a token space hole.

The game board 12 may have a stationary portion 22 and a rotating portion 24 that each include token spaces 14. The stationary portion 22 may include multiple areas 26 that each have a triangular pattern of token spaces 14. The stationary portion 22 may also include an area 28 that has a circular pattern of token spaces 14. As shown in the illustration, the rotating portion 24 may have a circular pattern of token spaces. Multiple rotating sections may be provided on a gameboard, and such multiple rotating sections may be coordinated to counter-rotate one to another when rotation is activated.

The game set 10 may include a plurality of cards 30 that each have indicia 32. The indicia 32 provides instructions to move or not move the rotating portion 24 of the game board. For example, a card 30 may include the indicia “SPIN” which provides an instruction to move the rotating portion 24. Another card 30 may include the indicia “DON'T SPIN” which provides instruction to not move the rotating portion 24. Although cards are shown and described, it is to be understood that other indicators such as a timer can be used to instruct when the rotating portion is to be rotated.

The game board 12 may include one or more input spin wheels 34 that can be manually operated to move the rotating portion 24. As shown in FIG. 2 the game board 12 may include a plurality of spin wheels 34 that each have gear teeth 36 that cooperate with gear teeth 38 of the rotating portion 24. The gear teeth 36 and 38 cooperate in a manner so that rotation of a spin wheel 34 will cause rotation of the rotating portion 24.

As shown in FIG. 3 the game board 10 may include position index elements 40 that maintain a position of the rotating portion 24. The position index elements 40 may include spring biased detent balls 42 that can move into and out of corresponding apertures 44 of the rotating portion 24, as the portion 24 is rotated. The balls 42 provide a spring force into the apertures 44 that establishes and maintains the position of the rotating portion 24.

FIG. 4 shows another alternate embodiment of the game board 10′. This embodiment includes a motor 50 that is coupled to the rotating portion 24 by a gear 52. The motor 50 is also coupled to a circuit board 54 and batteries 56. The circuit board assembly 54 is connected to a switch 58. The circuit board assembly 54 may include electrical circuits to perform various functions. Depressing the switch 58 causes the motor 50 to be energized and rotates the rotating portion 24. The circuit board 54 may include circuitry that limits rotation of the rotating portion 24 for a certain time interval. The time interval may be the same, or vary, for each rotation. The circuit assembly may include a timer circuit which activates the rotation of the rotating section, a button may be substituted for switch 58. Pressing button 58 activates the timer circuit to then cause rotation of the rotating section at either a predetermined, or a random, time interval. A sound can be emitted from a speaker (not shown) associated with the circuit board assembly 54 to alert players that the rotating section is about to rotate.

FIG. 5 shows another alternate embodiment of the game 12″ wherein the game board includes a stationary portion 22′ and a rotating portion 24′ that are constructed from laminated cardboard. In this embodiment the token spaces 14 are marked indicia on the stationary and rotating portions, there are no holes in this embodiment. Alternatively, holes can be drilled into the cardboard to provide more positive positioning of the tokens. The rotating portion 24 is manually rotated within a circular groove 60 of the game board 12″. The rotating portion 24 can be moved until a marker 62 of the portion is aligned with a marker 64 of the stationary portion 22.

Referring to FIG. 1, to play the game each player places their tokens 16 into one triangular pattern of token spaces 14. If there are two players, two triangular patterns are filled with tokens 14. If there are three players then three triangular patterns are filled tokens and so forth and so on. The cards 30 may also be shuffled.

A first player moves one of their tokens to an adjacent hole. A second player turns over a playing card 30. If the card 30 provides an instruction to move the board, then the rotating portion 24 is rotated. The second player then moves one of their tokens. Each player takes a turn selecting a card, possibly moving the rotating portion, and moving a token. A token can be moved to an adjacent token space, or can “hop” over another token, into a token space adjacent to the hopped token. A player can hop over multiple tokens in a single play. A player can hop over their token or over the token of another player. Play continues until one of the players has moved all of their tokens into a triangular pattern of token spaces opposite from the player's starting triangular pattern of token spaces. FIG. 6 shows an instruction guide 70 with a complete set of game rules for playing the token game set.

Incorporating a rotating portion increases the complexity of the game. Rotating an entire portion of the game introduces a play element that can switch token positions for more than one player. Thus rotation can effect all of the players. One player may benefit from rotation while another player is left in a less desirable position. Having a stationary portion in the center of the game board can also influence strategy such that players may seek this portion to avoid rotation of their tokens. The result is a game play that is significantly different from a conventional game of Chinese Checkers.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art. 

1. A token game set, comprising: a game board that includes a stationary portion and a single rotating portion, said stationary and rotating portions each having a plurality of token spaces; and, a plurality of tokens that are located on said token spaces.
 2. The token game set of claim 1, wherein said token spaces include holes.
 3. The token game set of claim 1, wherein said token spaces are arranged into a plurality of triangular patterns in said stationary portion and in a circular pattern in said single rotating portion.
 4. The token game set of claim 1, wherein said single rotating portion is shaped as a disk with an outer periphery and a center opening, said stationary portion includes a disk area within said center opening of said rotating disk and another area adjacent to said outer periphery of said rotating disk.
 5. The token game set of claim 1, further comprising an input element that is coupled to said single rotating portion and can be manually manipulated to rotate said single rotating portion.
 6. The token game set of claim 1, further comprising a motor that is coupled to said single rotating portion and can be energized to rotate said single rotating portion.
 7. The token game set of claim 1, further comprising a timer that indicates when said single rotating portion should be rotated.
 8. The token game set of claim 6, further comprising a timer that establishes a time interval within which said single rotating portion is rotated by said motor.
 9. The token game set of claim 1, further comprising a position index element that is coupled to said single rotating portion and maintains a position of said single rotating portion.
 10. The token game set of claim 1, wherein said instruction element includes a plurality of cards that have indicia that provide instruction on whether to rotate said single rotating portion.
 11. A method for playing a token game, comprising: providing a game board that includes a stationary portion and a single rotating portion, said stationary and rotating portions each having a plurality of token spaces; placing a plurality of first tokens onto token spaces in a first area of the stationary portion, and a plurality of second tokens onto token spaces in a second area of the stationary portion; moving one of the first tokens into the single rotating portion; moving one of the second tokens into the single rotating portion; and, rotating the single rotating portion to move the first and second tokens.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the tokens are moved into holes of said token spaces.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the steps of moving the first and second tokens and rotating the single rotating portion are repeated until all of the first tokens are moved to a designated area.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the single rotating portion is manually rotated.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the single rotating portion is rotated by a motor.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the first area is a triangular pattern of token spaces, the second area is a triangular pattern of token spaces, and the single rotating portion has a circular pattern of token spaces.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising moving the first token into a third area of the stationary portion that has a circular pattern of token spaces.
 18. The method of claim 11, further comprising selecting an indicator that provides instructions to rotate the single rotating portion. 